Twitter has introduced a new system allowing users to hide replies on their tweets
Social media giant, Twitter, has introduced a new feature. It provides the option to hide replies to tweets. This is in a bid to stop the conversation if it has turned into hateful trolling.
Twitter often tries to lead the way in improving online experience. In 2017 it introduced a new feature that filtered out abusive tweets and banned those users from making new accounts.
What does this mean for users?
This means users no longer have to put up with being exposed to harmful comments or harassment online. This has been done to make Twitter a more enjoyable space.
Many new features over the years have been introduced to personalise our online experiences. Specific words can be muted and accounts can be blocked.
Is it all good news?
Is it a bad thing?
Media website The Verge suggests that it may be a double edged sword. On the one hand, users will be able to shut off any toxic or abusive content. It may, however, have a downside.
In recent years replying to tweets has developed into a great way to hold powerful people to account for their actions. Allowing these celebs/businessmen and politicians to hide the replies on their tweets becomes problematic.
The “Twitter ratio,” is when a tweet earns more replies than retweets or likes. It is one of the great things about Twitter that large groups of people can show their anger and unhappiness with a tweet.
The ratio is associated with online faux pas often made by public officials. A politician, celeb or business head makes a comment that offends the masses.
Twitter is handing the reigns back to the people. Many will benefit from this new change, but it cannot be said how many will abuse this new feature. Free speech on their harmful tweets will be hidden alongside harmful replies.
